Rappahannock General plans to join Bon Secours

Rappahannock General Hospital in Kilmarnock plans to become part of the Richmond-based Bon Secours Virginia Health System.

The two nonprofit health-care organizations have signed a nonbinding letter of intent under which the Northern Neck hospital, its medical group and foundation would be absorbed by Bon Secours.

The merger move follows a clinical affiliation agreement between Bon Secours and Rappahannock General begun two years ago. That deal was designed to enhance clinical care and service accessibility for residents in the Rappahannock General service area, which includes the Middle Peninsula as well as the Northern Neck. During the clinical affiliation, Rappahannock General remained an independent hospital.

“I am pleased that our patients and physicians will have the benefit of care provided as part of the Bon Secours Virginia Health System,” James M. Holmes Jr., CEO of Rappahannock General Hospital, said in a statement. “A health system the caliber of Bon Secours coming to the Northern Neck means great things for our community. I’m pleased that the leadership of Bon Secours has recognized the vitality of this community, and I appreciate that they want to be part of it.”

Before signing the clinical affiliation agreement, Rappahannock General had about 100 physicians on its medical staff. Today, it has more than 140 physicians and specialists.

Bon Secours also has expanded its services in the region, placing specialists in and around the hospital campus and recently establishing a home-care agency in the Kilmarnock area.

Rappahannock General, which has 76 licensed beds, employs nearly 500 people. In 2012, it had net patient revenue of $35.4 million, according to Virginia Health Information, a nonprofit clearinghouse for health information..

Bon Secours currently operates seven hospitals, four in the Richmond area and three in Hampton Roads.